The vibrant theatre scene of Pune has earned a significant national spotlight, with four of its productions selected for the prestigious 8th National Theatre Festival in Kolkata. Organized by the Minerva Natyasanskriti Charchakendra under the aegis of the West Bengal government, the festival will run from January 4 to January 12, offering a platform for diverse Indian narratives.
Kadambari: A Courageous Portrayal of Tagore's Muse
Leading the Pune contingent is the play Kadambari, a lyrical exploration of the life of Kadambari Devi, the enigmatic sister-in-law, muse, and confidante of Rabindranath Tagore. Directed by Meghna Roy Choudhury, a probashi Bengali, the project was an act of artistic courage. Roy Choudhury tackled this revered subject in the Bengali language, which she hadn't formally studied, with a cast comprising mostly non-Bengali actors.
Since its premiere in Pune, the play, featuring Ipshita Chakraborty in the lead role, has won audiences in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Its greatest test awaits at Madhusudan Mancha on January 10. "I am still very, very nervous, and I hope that the audience has an open mind," says Roy Choudhury, expressing both anxiety and confidence after performances attended by people from Shantiniketan.
Rural Narratives and Political Satire from Maharashtra
The festival will also showcase plays delving into Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Suyog Deshpande's Via Savargaon Khurd, an adaptation of Dinkar Dabhade's novel, presents 19 monologues revolving around village elections, tackling patriarchy, dysfunctional relationships, and contemporary schemes like Ladki Bahen. A unique challenge is its use of the rural Varhadi dialect from Vidarbha. The play will be staged at Girish Manch on January 9.
Another Marathi play, Thakishi Samvaad, is a satire written by Satish Alekar and directed by Anupam Barve. Through a conversation between an elderly man and a thaki doll, it explores loneliness and the changing political climate. Nearing its 50th show, the play will be presented with subtitles at Girish Mancha on January 6. "Getting selected for a state-run festival is a special honour," notes Barve.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Truth Across Borders
Completing the quartet is playwright Shanta Gokhale's Something Like Truth, marking the directorial debut of Parna Pethe. The play explores themes of truth, freedom, and justice through four intimate monologues by women set in 19th-century France, early 2000s India, and post-war Sri Lanka. It will be staged at Madhusudan Mancha on January 6.
Pethe highlights the significance of this cultural exchange: "Whenever we talk about Indian theatre, the relationship of history and contemporary-ness between Marathi and Bengali theatre is always talked about. We are excited to take a play that took shape in Maharashtra to the theatre makers and theatre lovers of Kolkata." The selection of these four diverse plays underscores Pune's position as a crucible of compelling and innovative Indian theatre.
